Collapsible back rest



Dec. 29, 1953 J. w. MEEKS COLLAPSIBLE BACK REST Filed May 3, 1952 ll'll I N V EN TOR. J2me: iii/[jam flfeeks BY Patented Dec. 29, 1953 2,663,880

stretch bandat ve riop zon tar af'smme Figl 1 isa 1 .v m e. a rests 6f 28 ofeach 1n 1 end zflof the mam arm has mg: 2 i- ;*pefs15f tije showfi Fig. 1' ai'fislrgh't g s e. e e. Y l e d fla a l a er r ree vm v1511B re mye; perils Ehereof broken away for purposes of illus lfihg-ewwmg-i "gig-9191. thegej iwingshmemselygs; trat to the gircqrpference:

bra? :e 2Ltoward the axls of j the pm 3! of the hmge 5 The quadrantal pro- 3 secured to the upper surface of one set of arms 13 (Fig. 6). The other face 34' of the quadrantal projection 25 is adapted to butt against the upper surface 25' on the other set of arms M to limit swinging movement of the two sets of arms in one direction for disposition at right angles with respect to each other. However, the two sets of arms (3-44 are free to swing in an bpposite direction about the axis of the hinge 15 into parallel relation with each other as illustrated in Fig. 3;

The extreme end of 18-49 of each set of arms with a hook to form an anchor for securing to the stretch band 12. The stretch band 12 has seamed edges provided with grommets 35 at predetermined spaced intervals along its lengthwise edges. As best seen in Fig. 2 each hook 35 is adapted to be received by one of the grommets 36. The hooks 35 are so disposed on tremities of the several legs lB-Il that their open sides 35' face away from each other on opposite sets of arms l3-l4 when the latter are disposed at right angles with respect to each other. In this manner, when the upper set of grommets 36U are anchored on the hooks of the upright set of arms l3 and the stretch cloth or band 12 pulled tight to anchor another opposite set of grommets 36X to the hooks of the horizontal set of arms [4, the stretch band 12 will be tightly stretched between the respective anchorages.

It-should here be noted that in pulling the stretch band l2 tight when hooking it to the lower set of arms [4 both sets of arms are sprung slightly toward each other. Hence, the tendency of the two sets of arms to return toward right angle disposition relative to each other aids in maintaining the stretch band tight between the hooked extreme ends of the legs Iii-ll of the two sets of arms.

The results are the same irrespective Of the adjustment of the telescoping legs as best illustrated in the diagram Fig. 7. The frame member I I for various purposes may be adjusted into the following positions:

the extensible portions A 15 Long D-6(l Sit-up B30 Reclining E-l80 Lying down 0-45 Short F--0 Collapsed Position A Long) is that shown in Figs. 1 and 2 with the telescoping legs of both sets of arms fully extended.

Positions B (30 Reclining) would be similar to that of Fig. 2 with the telescoping legs of the upright set of arms 13 retracted andthe legs of the horizontal set of arms [4 fully extended. It should here be noted that the spacing of the grommets 36 along the lengthwise edges of the stretch hand 12 is calculated to fit the foreshortening of the hypotenuse of the triangle formed by the frame and band. Consequently, the stretch band functions as stated above in connection with the fully opened frame irrespec tive of the angular disposition of the stretch band. In other words, regardless of whichever position the frame is set it tends to yield or give under hand pulling of the stretch band.

Position C (45 Short) is for a person with a shorter torso or if ones head alone is to be supported above a horizontal surface.

Position D Sit-up) is the converse of position B in that the legs of the horizontal arms 14 are retracted while the legs of the upright arms 13 are fully extended.

|3-| 4 is provided the ex- Position E Lying down) is that position in which the legs of each set of arms 13-44 are horizontally disposed and in axial alignment at each side of the frame ll. Herein lies the purpose of the latch means 50 illustrated in Fig. 5 comprising a bolt 5! having a semi-circular shape (or one conforming to the internal passage of the inner end 24 of the legs on either set of arms).

The bolt 5i has one end 52 cut at a 45 angle to register with the 45 cut'at-the' extreme inner end 32 of each of the main portions 20 of the legs 16 on one set of arms.

The lower face 25' of this pair of legs I5 are provided with a slot 53 having a pin 54 extending therethrough and secured to the bolt 5i for manipulating the latter between retracted and extended condition. If desired, the bolt too may be slotted as at 55, see Fig. 6, to allow a rivet pin 56 to extend therethrough from the hinge wing 29 into the quadrantal projection 26 of the central cross brace 21. v

From the foregoing it will be seen that when the frame is to be disposed in any of its positions other than position E, i. e., 180, the bolt 5| is retracted well within the leg portion. containing it so that the extreme end 52 of the bolt is in register with or behind the 45 extreme end 32 of such leg. However, when the two sets of arms iii-M are disposed at 180 degrees relative to each other, i, e., with their respective side legs in axial alignment with each other (see Figs. 4 and 5), the bolt 5i is slid into a position to extend its extreme end into the passage 51 provided within the extreme end 24 of the other leg. Thus the two sets of arms l3-i 4 are latched together in position E to support the stretch cloth ii in parallelism with the frame.

It should here be noted that the cross brace 21 is bowed slightly in a direction away from the axis of the ,quadrantal ends thereof, i. e., away from the stretch band so that even though the latter yields somewhat under the weight of a persons body nocontact or discomfort will occur. f

Position Flo Collapsed) is best illustrated in Fig. 3 whereinvthe stretch band is removed from the frame and its two sets of arms l3l4 in parallel relation and their extensible portions |8--i9 fully retracted. This makes a neat compact package which can be easily transported,

stored or otherwise handled with ease in homes,

hospitals, institutions, clubs, on the beach, or in an automobile.

While I have described the foregoing device in specific detail herein, it will be apparent that it is capable of being modified, altered or varied without departing from the spirit of my invention. I, therefore, desire to avail myself of all modifications, alterations, and/or variations. as come within the purview of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

l. A back rest of the type described comprising two sets of arms hingedly connected together for swinging movement toward and from each other,

a stretch band, means on the extreme ends of said arms opposite the hinged ends thereof for securing said stretch band to said arms, a cross brace secured to one set of said arms adjacent the hinged ends thereof, and a projection at each end of said cross brace having angularly disposed faces engageable by said hingedly connected arms for limitingmovement of said arms beyond substantially right angle'disposition when saidarms atheist,

are swung inone direction about saidjhing'edjconnection thereof. f 2; A back restof the typed'escribed comprising two sets of arms hingedly connected togetherfor swinging movement"towardiandrfrom .each other, a stretch band, means on. the extremeends ofsaid arms opposite the hinged. ends thereof for securing said stretch band'to said arms, limiting means cooperating with said hingedly connected arms for limiting movement of said arms beyond substantially right angle disposition when said arms are swung in one direction about said hinged connection thereof, said limitingmeans comprising a quadrantal block having one of its duad rantal faces secured to one of said sets o f'arms and its other quadrantalface disposed tov abut theother of sets of arms upon movement. thereof in said one direction;

3. A back rest comprising-two sets of arms each including parallel side legs having extensible end portions, the inner ends of saidlegs being cut ona bias for disposition radially of acommon point, a hinge having its wings secured to a respective one of said leg portions and its hinge pin disposed congruent to said common point whereby said two sets of arms are adapted to swing from parallel relation into right angle disposition withrespect to each other, a stretch band having anchoring grommets at predetermined spaced intervals along its lengthwise edges, anchor mean'sonthe extensible end portions'of: said legs'fo-r anchoring reception by certain of the grommets in said stretch band. for maintaining said stretch. band taut between the extensible ends of said'two sets of arms. I

4. A back rest'co'mprising two sets of arms each including parallel side legsh'aving'extensible end portions; a transverse strap. having its ends secured to said extensible end portions for support ing the latter in substantial axial alignment with the parallel legs of the set of arms from which they are to extend, a hinge having its wings secured to the inner end of a respective one of said leg portions and its hinge pin so disposed that said two sets of arms are adapted to swing from parallel relation into right angle disposition with respect to each other, said inner ends of said legs being cut at a 45 angle and disposed radially of the hinge pin adjacent to it, a stretch band having anchoring grommets at predetermined spaced intervals along its lengthwise edges, anchor means on the extreme end of each said extensible end portions of said legs for anchoring reception by certain of the grommets in said stretch band, said legs tending to yield due to anchoring of said stretch band on said anchor means for maintaining said stretch band taut between the extensible ends of said two sets of arms.

5. A back rest of the type described comprising two sets of arms connected together by hinges for swinging movement toward and from each other, a stretch band, means on the extreme ends of said arms opposite the hinged ends thereof for securing said stretch band to the latter, a cross brace adjacent the hinged connection of said arms having a quadrantal projection-at each of its ends, each said quadrantal projection having a pair of faces disposed at right angles with respect to each other, means securing one of said quadrantal faces to the inner end of one of said pairs of arms with the point at which said quadrantal faces converge disposed at substantially 45 inwardly of the extreme inner end of said one pair of arms, the extreme inner ends of said pairs of arms being cut on a bias from said point of convergence of 7 said arms irrespective of saidjquadrant aitic-the" axesof said hinges whereby thequadrantalfaceson said quadrant'al projections opposite the onesjsecured' to said one se't'of armsare disposed'forabutment against the inner. ends of'the' other set of said. arms'pforlimitlng'move'ment thereof'in one direction beyond right angle disposition relative: to said'one set of arms.

I 6,1 A back rest ofthe type described" comprising two sets of arms connectedtogether byhinges forlswinging, movement towardand' from each other,}each"of said pair offlarms having extensible endportions, a stretch bandfnieans on the extreme" ends ofjthe extensible ends of said arms opposite the hinged" ends of" said arms for securing said stretchbandtothe latter, a cross brace a 'j acent. the hingediconnection ofsaid' arms havin aquadrantal. projection at each of its ends; said quadrantai projection having: a'pair ofv faces disposed at right. angles with respect to each other, means securing one. of Said quadrantal races. to the inner end ofone of said pairs of arms with the'poi'nt at which saidquadr'antal faces converge disposed/at substantially 45-relative tothe axes of said hinges, the? extreme inner ends of saidpairs. of arms. being out on a bias congruent to a line from said'point of convergence-of said duadr'an t'al' faces. and. the axes of said hinges whereby the .quadrantal' faces on said quadrant'al' projection opposite the" one-secured to said one of saidpair of arms. are disposed for abutment againsttheinner end of" the other set of said arms for: limitingmovement thereof in one direction beyondrightangle disposition relative to said'one.setiofarmswhen said'stretch band is secured to said means at the. extremeends of said extensible e'ndl portionsofl each of. said pairs ofarms. v

7. A back rest comprising. two sets of arms each including a pair of tubular: main portions having extensible end portions telescopically related thereto and means for securing said extensible end portions at desired positions extended or retracted relative to their respectiv main portions, a transverse bar for the extensible end portions of each said set of arms having its ends secured to the respective extensible end portions for maintaining the latter in substantial axial alignment with the main portions of said set of arms with which they are related, a cross brace having quadrantal projections at each of .its ends, the inner ends of each of said main portions being flattened on their upper faces and having their extreme ends cut on a bias of substantially 45, means for securing the one quadrantal face of each of said quadrantal projections to the flattened inner end of each main portion of one set of said arms with the point of convergence of the two quadrantal faces of the particular quadrantal projection disposed congruent to the biased face of the extreme end of the respective main portion to which said quadrantal projection is secured, a hinge having each of its wings secured to the under surface of the inner end of each of said main portions so that the biased faces of the same are radially disposed relative to the axis of said hinge, a hook at the extreme end of each of said extensible portions of said arms, and a stretch band having a plurality of grommets spaced at predetermined intervals along the lengthwise edges thereof for the reception of the hooks on said extensible portions of the extended or retracted disposition of the latter relative to the main portions of said arms.

8. A back rest of the ty'pedescribed comprising two sets of arms hingedly connected together for swinging movement toward and from each other,

each of said pair of arms having extensible end portions, a stretch band, means on the extreme ends of the extensible ends of said arms opposite the hinged ends of said arms for securin said stretch'band to the latter, a cross brace adjacent the hinged connection of said arms having a quadrantal projection at each of its ends, said quadrantal projection having a pair of faces disposed at right angles with respect to each other, means securing one of said quadrantal faces to the inner end of each of said pairs of arms whereby the other or said quadrantal faces on said quadrantal projections are disposed for abutment against the other set of said arms for limiting movement thereof in one direction beyond right angle disposition relative to said one set of arms when said stretch band is secured to said means at the extreme ends of said extensible end portions'of each of said pairs of arms, and latch means mounted at the inner ends of said pairs of arms for projection therefrom into latching engagement with the inner ends of the other of said pairs of arms when the latter are in axial alignment with each other for maintaining said pairs of arms in a common plane.

9. A back rest comprising two sets of arms each including a pair of tubular main portions having extensible end portions telescopically related thereto and means for securing said extensible end portions at desired extended or retracted positions relative to their respective main portions, a transverse bar having its ends secured to the respective extensible end portions for maintaining the latter insubstantial axial alignment with the main portions of said arms with which they are related, a cross brace having quadrantal projections at each of its ends, the inner ends of each of said main portions being flattened on their upper faces and having their extreme ends cut on a bias of substantially means for, securing the one quadrantal face of each of said quadrantal projections to the flattened inner ends ofthe main portion of one set of said arms with the point of convergence of the two quadrantal faces disposed congruent to the biased face of the extreme end of the respective main portions to which said quadrantal projection is secured, a hinge having each of its wings secured to the under surfaces of the inner end or each of said main'portions so that the biased faces of the same are radially disposed relative to the axis of said hinge, a hook at the extreme end of each of said extensible portions of said arms, a stretch band having a plurality of grommets spaced at predetermined intervals along the lengthwise edges thereof for the reception of the hooks on said extensible portions of said arms irrespective of the extended or retracted disposition of the latter relative to the main portions of said arms, and latch means disposed within the hollow flattened portion of one of said main portions and adapted for extension into the hollow flattened portion of the other one of said main portions for maintaining the opposing pairs of main portions in axial alignment and said two sets of arms in a common plane.

JAMES W. MEEKS.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 373,555 Fiske Nov. 22, 1887 645,745 Gibson et a1 Mar. 20, 1900 744,126 St. John Nov. 17, 1903 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 9,683 Great Britain 1910 758,057 France Oct. 23, 1933 

